Kitted S4Rs versus a stock Streetfighter S

[Nekkid Tim]

Back in 1999, when I got on Mike Duzick's (MikMar Motor Service, Paxino, PA) personally set-up Ducati 851 (888-spec) from my stock 851 Superbike, his bike ruined the stock 851 for me.  I sold it shortly thereafter.

I also grew tired of superbikes on the road. On the track, yes, great, but not on the road… not for me.  I wanted a naked sportbike, but one that had full Superbike specs, not a diluted, heavier, detuned copy.

So, when Ducati came out with the S4Rs, with the (then) current Superbike motor, the Ohlins suspension front and rear, the superbike brake calipers and master cylinder, I bought one.

Not surprisingly, I soon found I wanted more.  The full Termi system went on, including the DP ECU and the airbox mods.  Over the next couple of years, Mike set up the suspension for me, I rode it at a couple of Summit Point track days, and remembered why a track bike or racebike is more fun to ride on the track than any streetbiek, no matter how well set up.

I installed taller risers and an MV Agusta Brutale handlebar.   Rizoma “rearsets” with the pegs in the most forward and lowest position actually gave me more leg room.  Lighter components replaced the plastics on the bike.  BST carbon fiber wheels were a dramatic improvement.  Donnie Unger of DucPond MotoSports installed high compression pistons, ported and polished the heads, gave it a 3-angle valve job, and degreed the cams.   Mike Duzick dialed the whole package in.  He rode it, and we decided we finally had a worthy successor to his old 888 Superbike, but in a standard package.

Last week I took the bike to my former race sponsor, Rick Beggs of RnR Cycles.  He weighed it and dyno-tuned it.  With a full tank of gas, the bike weighed 426 pounds and it put out 133 rwhp, still gaining power at the DP ECU’s 10,300 rpm redline.

I’ve sat on the Streetfighter.  The reach to the handlebar is shorter than that of a stock S4Rs.  It’s almost the exact same (for me) as on my modified bike.  I suppose one day I will ride one of the Streetfighters.  I asked Donnie, who has ridden my S4Rs and the Streetfighter if he thought I would go nuts riding the streetfighter, wishing I had one of them, instead of my S4Rs.  He just looked at me as though I was crazy, and said “Bub, no stock bike is ever going to come close to working like that S4Rs of yours.”    I believe him.

I think I'll keep my S4Rs!

[DoubleEagle]

Very informative post Tim.

Thanks for taking the time to give us all the details..

Dolph     

[LA]

at the DP ECU’s 10,300 rpm redline.

I've been wondering what the redline really is on my bike.  Not that there's any reason to run past 10K, hell not even that most times (even when trying to haul ass) since it's such a short shifters dream.

I tried to find the redline several times on mine and the tach shows 11,000 with no hint of a miss or limit.  Like I said no need to do that, I just wanted to know.  Still pulling at 11k.

But, Jebus those StreetFighter S'es do look swell and kitted?  Make mine black.

LA

[DoubleEagle]

at the DP ECU’s 10,300 rpm redline.

I've been wondering what the redline really is on my bike.  Not that there's any reason to run past 10K, hell not even that most times (even when trying to haul ass) since it's such a short shifters dream.

I tried to find the redline several times on mine and the tach shows 11,000 with no hint of a miss or limit.  Like I said no need to do that, I just wanted to know.  Still pulling at 11k.

But, Jebus those StreetFighter S'es do look swell and kitted?  Make mine black.

LA

Never had mine above 9,000 rpms so I'm not one to answer that one .....but I am going to take your word on that still pulling at 11,000 LA     

May be one of these days I'll push it up there !

Dolph         

[Statler]

Mine bounces off the limiter at 11,000, but I bet that's just indicated.   Wouldn't surprise me if the motor was actually spinning slower than that and the tach just doesn't read perfectly.   But unless there's a mechanical issue causing problems who cares?  I know where it points when the motor says stop it.

And since it's still pulling hard right to redline it's pretty easy to bounce the limiter at the track unless you're watching the tach pretty close.  9 or 10?  you two are missing all the fun. 

[Nekkid Tim]

Mine bounces off the limiter at 11,000, but I bet that's just indicated.   Wouldn't surprise me if the motor was actually spinning slower than that and the tach just doesn't read perfectly.   But unless there's a mechanical issue causing problems who cares?  I know where it points when the motor says stop it.

And since it's still pulling hard right to redline it's pretty easy to bounce the limiter at the track unless you're watching the tach pretty close.  9 or 10?  you two are missing all the fun. 

Rick reported that my S4Rs's tach was indicating ~ 11,000 rpm when the rev limiter cut in.  Actual RPM according to the dyno's reading was 10,300.  The one time I took the Monster to the track, I had the same problem with the thing bouncing off the limiter regularly.

[DoubleEagle]

Mine bounces off the limiter at 11,000, but I bet that's just indicated.   Wouldn't surprise me if the motor was actually spinning slower than that and the tach just doesn't read perfectly.   But unless there's a mechanical issue causing problems who cares?  I know where it points when the motor says stop it.

And since it's still pulling hard right to redline it's pretty easy to bounce the limiter at the track unless you're watching the tach pretty close.  9 or 10?  you two are missing all the fun. 

When the S4Rs hits the rev limiter , does it just drop some rpms or do you have to do anything other than shift ?

Dolph   

[hillbillypolack]

S4R is a more unique bike.  The Streetfighter just doesn't do it for me, and kinda looks like something Aprilia tossed off their drawing boards.

Then again, you're asking a question about a Monster on a Monster discussion board.

[kopfjäger]

S4R is a more unique bike.  The Streetfighter just doesn't do it for me, and kinda looks like something Aprilia tossed off their drawing boards.

Then again, you're asking a question about a Monster on a Monster discussion board.

The question is about performance, not looks.

[Bill in OKC]

My bike is so over-the-top nuts that more performance would be a secondary consideration if I was ever thinking about replacing it.  If I could afford a Bimota DB6, I'd trade some surplus power for that hand built beauty.

[hillbillypolack]

The question is about performance, not looks.

Let me reiterate.

"The Streetfighter just doesn't do it for me".  That pertains to ALL aspects of the bike.

I then proceeded to describe its appearance. 

Hope that clears things up.  And yes, I've ridden both.

[asado]

I now have 800 miles of seat time on the SF and have added the Termi slip on, race ECU, airfilter and 7 spoke carbon BST.  Power wise, its enough to scare me but the handling is insane with the added BST's.  Feels very light, turning is quick, precise, planted and smooth.  I liked almost everything about my previous S4Rs except for the weight (heavy and it feels heavy) and handling.  Its a night and day difference for me IMHO.

Side note:  Im comparing the SF to "my" S4Rs (non -kitted). 

Here is a side by side photo of my (old) Monster and (new) SF

[TAftonomos]

RPM = ruins people's motors.  The more you turn, the faster stuff wears out (exponentially too).  Cam the thing to the moon, make 150-155hp, and kill the midrange, mileage, and logenvity. 

I'd take the 133rwhp with a fat midrange (like hi-comp pistons provide).  Hell, I can't ride my 55hp tard to the limit, so 130+ rwhp would suit me just fine.

Wanna build a monster....start with a busa, a gt30 and some alky.  650+ hp sky's the limit.

[DoubleEagle]

busa..............that's some kind of japanese 4 letter word for swine.

Dolph